DIYPhotography.net

Wouldn't it be nice if your kid was sooooo cute, he'd be on every bulletin board, feature internet campaigns and smile at you from the highway signs?

Wouldn't it be so uncool if this happened without your consent?

This is going to be another you-must-read-the-TOS-before-you-enter-a-contest post, so if you are just here for the DIY stuff, feel free to skip it. If on the other hand, you've ever entered a contest without reading the TOS (Terms of Service), man, you'd be happy after you read this one. Click to continue ›

If you’ve been shooting with a flash for a while, I’m sure you had some battery problem or another at least once. Like when one of four batteries goes bad and quickly discharges the other three. Or when it’s cold and the batteries don’t hold their charge so well anymore. Wouldn't it be nice if you could have a more reliable source of power? One that virtually lasts for ever (well, not forever, but for a darn long time). This is probably on the wish list of anyone who is shooting off shoe and don't care much about weight, but do care about recycling time and number of pops that can be squeezed in a session.

Konstantin Sirotkin describes how to make a Flash mod that will allow you to connect your flash to an external power source.
Yes this is an external power source, no mater how bomb-like it looks.

Click to continue ›

UPDATE: Illustrations included.

There are several ways to wear your camera strap, you can wear it on your neck in what I'd love to call "The Lunchbox Carry"; you can wear it on your shoulder in a "Lazyman Hang" or you can wear it across your body, like soldiers are wearing their weapons in a "Weapon Cross". Which one is your favorite? 

Now, each of these hangs can be rated on three factors:

• How fast does it take you to bring the camera into a nice shooting position?
• How comfortable is it?
• How safe is it to your camera?

Click to continue ›

Today's speedlinks is a bit eclectic, as I tried to touch a little on each of the aspect I love about photography. There is a film lover link, a techie link, a few workflow links and of course an art link.

If you enjoyed a link, leave a comment on the linked site, let them know you like their work.

• 80 Film Cameras for Under 50 Dollars!
  Epic Edits
  One of the more fun things I did in the last month was joining Brian's 50$ camera project. Brian and the Epic Edits community formed an unbelievable repository for old film cameras. Aside from siding with Jim Talkington, I also had a funsees submission featuring the Lomo Action Sampler
• Jeffrey’s “Export to Flickr” Lightroom Plugin
  Jeffrey Friedl’s Blog
  I just love Lightroom, but I have always felt that it lacks flickr integration. No More! Jeffrey Friedl came up with a Flickr Export plugin. I've been using it for about three weeks and have only good things to say
• Lighting Q and A, 9/19/2008
  Strobist
  David is giving full attention to using flash in conjunction with ambient. In a post that starts as a simple comparison between working with and without a flash meter, David provides a detailed workflow for working with ambient (and without a meter). You may also want to check out Beyond Megapixels Histogram 101. The histogram can be a great tool when you are not using an exposure meter
• This Post Not Made In Chrome; Google's EULA Sucks Is Fixed
  Tap The Hive
  Sometimes the blogosphere can have big impact on multi-gazillion dollars companies. Djlosch point that Google Chrome's EULA gives Google rights to everything that goes through it. (Yes the big G is into internet browsers now as well). The impact on photographer is huge. It means that almost everything that if you uploaded something to Flickr, Goggle owns it. Goggle took notice and changed Chrome's EULA
• Lightroom 2.x Enhanced Keyboard Shortcuts
  Gordon McKinney's Photography Blog
  A while ago I discussed how to make an enhancement keyboard to Lightroom. Gordon posts a AutoHotkey script that will add some fastkeys to your Lightroom workflow without attaching a second keyboard
• Fifty cent flash bounce
  Instructables
  Diffusing the on camera flash is always better then direct flashing. Here is one more cheapo alternative to the commercial products. You read right - 50 cents.
• 8 craft store items every DIY photographer needs
  Exposure
  Here are eight items that every DIYer must have. While the list is not complete, it is a good base for starting some great projects. Feel free to add to the list
• Nikon D3 Shutter Release in Super Slow Motion
  Jeffrey Friedl’s Blog
  This is an amazing video shoeing the Nikon D3 shutter sequence in slow mo. You can see how the mirror goes up, the first and second curtains and the mirror goes down again.
• I Started a $2 Portraits Group on Flickr
  Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection
  Thomas Hawk started a new project where he give 2 dollars to any homeless that asks, and take a picture in exchange. A great project that involves community and photography. And there is a Group on Flickr to support it
• Extreme X-Rays: Photographer Nick Veasey Takes You Inside ... Everything
  Wired
  Here some cool experimental photography. Actually, it is not longer experimental. Nick Veasey takes X-ray photographing to the extremes in this wonderful art.
• Fine Art Photo Show or Why Nice Photo Mag Sucks
  Nice Photo Mag
  Zeke is adding a new project to his life called sleepless nights adorable baby. He thinks he will slow down a bit on his blog. On the other hand he is sooo going to be awake all the time, so maybe he'll blog more. On a happier note, He has his own show now. if you are around the LA area it will open on Oct 2nd. It is annoying, attentions grabbing, it is everything but nice!

Last and not least is a new video from Jim Talkinton over at Pro Photo Life. Jim has a new video that explains just what a color profile is. It is not an in depth tutorial, but a good overview to get you started thinking about managing your color. While you're at it, Jim just launched a new clean design to Pro Photo Life with clear categories and a great video library. If you did not visit him before, I encourage you spend some time there. It is a great resource to the studio photographer.

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So, I'm going on a few days trip abroad, let's see what's in my bag: Laptop, Image bank, battery charger for my flash batteries, Camera battery charger and cell phone. Socket adapter for laptop power charger, power line for laptop charger, Socket adapter for cell phone charger, socket adapter for Image bank, power wire for battery charger ... Are you bored yet? What's with all those wires and socket adapters?

Here are two tips for the traveling photographer that will save you precious suitcase space and money. Not to mention reduce the number of items you need to cross of your traveling check list.

Of course, you can always take your power with you and avoid the need for any adapters, but some why I think that an 8 Kg battery will consume you entire suitcase.

Click to continue ›

Attending a great software conference like the Agile 2008 conference does have its perks. Aside from the great lectures, fantastic food, and excellent developers to hang out with, you have your freebies. Freebies are the cool little things that vendors will give you to make you come to their booth, and listen to what ever it is they have to offer.

It is only natural that in a software conference you'll get your USB mini-hub, cool agile poker cards, snoot, assorted candies ... did you say snoot?!?!?

Well, not at first sight. One of the Agile consulting companies, Improving Enterprises, was giving away free blue beer holders. Yes, software developers do drink beer hold beer holders. Now, let's see: made out of foam? Check! Will fit a Nikon SB-800? Check! Black interior? Check! Will look professional on a set? Check! Click to continue ›

Please join me in welcoming PRESSlite as a sponsor for DIYP. PRESSlite are the makers of the VerteX flash mod.

Not only this mod will make everyone around you come asking questions, it will also double your lighting options when using one flash. (I know it sounds weird, but after you watch the 3D demo it becomes clear). Review coming soon...

Till the end of September it will go on a special sale for 34 USD, after getting 30% discount if you are fast and have another commercial bouncer. Click to continue ›

Below you will find 15 great portrait tips on group shots, taking kids pictures and post processing.

Tips were submitted by you as part of the Portrait Professional 8 Giveaway project. As part of this project DIYP readers submitted over 200 portraits and 15 tips.

My favorite is by Heather Katsoulis and deals with getting natural portraits of kids. Heather, along with CRT and Matt wins a copy of Portrait Professional 8 studio edition. Click to continue ›

It is amazing to see the wide spectrum of interpretations to the work portrait. My last DIYP group project was to ask DIYP readers to choose someone of significance in their life and to photograph his or hers portrait.

It was a great ride and we had more then 200 portrait taken and shared (note to self - next time tag for black and white Vs. Color). The submissions are great and I had great time going over the various portraits. I thank everyone that took part in this exiting project.

The two winners of the portrait submission will receive the studio version of Portrait Professional 8, valued at $119.95.

Just before I share the two winning images and the two runners up, I would like to share some behind the scenes of crating and judging this contest. Click to continue ›

I really like the Lomo Action Sampler. I shoot digital today, but there is a warm spot in my heart kept for the Action sampler. I've been wanting to write an Action Sampler post for a long time now, and the 50$ camera project initiated by Brian Auer from Epic Edits, just gave me enough of a kick to go and make this post. (Brian was also so kind and asked me to be one of the judges along with the excellent Jim Talkinton). Click to continue ›